The automotive world is constantly changing, with technology progressing at an exceptional rate and design following suit. However, there are plenty of us that crave something a little more old-fashioned. This doesn’t mean that we should have to give up on modern amenities, though.
Automakers are starting to realize that there is a big market of car buyers who are rejecting modern design. These buyers don’t want to have to go without the most modern tech, but they want something a little simpler with a more engaging, manual feeling. Luckily, there are a couple of great options out there that offer just that.
We’ve found ten SUVs that feature old-school styling and vibes yet come with the most cutting-edge technology that the automotive world has to offer. We explore what defines these models and how their designers tickle our nostalgia while also outlining some of the most impressive pieces of technological equipment that they come with.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed. The models below have been ranked based on their starting MSRP.
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10
2025 Jeep Wrangler
MSRP: $32,690
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Jeep Wrangler
The Wrangler leans incredibly heavily on its legacy, with an iconic design. Focusing on simplicity over any complicated gimmicks is what helps it remain one of the most capable off-road SUVs on the market. Despite this, Jeep has given it a plethora of modern tech amenities to help it compete in the modern age.
Key Tech Features
- Available 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Adaptive cruise control
- Automated emergency braking
- Trailer sway control
- Off-Road Pages
The Wrangler comes standard with a pretty impressive list of tech features, including a comprehensive driver assist package. Top trims come with the most impressive technology, though. With a focus on rugged practicality, Jeep offers things like trailer sway control and the Off-Road Pages which displays things like pitch, roll, and wheel articulation.
9
2025 Ford Bronco
MSRP: $37,995
The Wrangler may be the more traditional option for off-road enthusiasts, but the Bronco has a pretty great legacy too. Its boxy exterior styling and pragmatic approach to design are what make it so popular. It is also easily the easier car to live with on the daily compared to a Wrangler as it is much more comfortable.
Key Tech Features
- Available 12-inch infotainment system
- 360-degree camera with off-road monitor
- Ford Co-Pilot Assist+
- Trail turn assist
- G.O.A.T. (Go Over Any Terrain) drive modes
Despite the Bronco’s rugged ideology, it still houses a modern infotainment system with a pretty large screen. Many of the Ford’s most impressive features center around its off-road capability. Key among these features is a system which helps you make tight turns on tricky terrain and an advanced drive mode selector.
8
2025 Toyota 4Runner
MSRP: $40,700
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro
The 4Runner is a favorite among the off-roading car community, and has been ever since it was first introduced. The tough and reliable SUV used to be one of the oldest new cars you could buy, but Toyota has built it from the ground up for the 2025 model year, making it more modern than ever before.
Key Tech Features
- Available 14-inch infotainment screen
- Dynamic navigation
- Smart Key
- Multi-Terrain Select
- Crawl control
The 4Runner used to be pretty barren when it came to modern technology. While it retains its old-school exterior styling, including a rear window which can be wound down, its interior has been completely overhauled. High-end off-roading tech also helps make the 4Runner one of the most capable SUVs out there.
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7
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5
MSRP: $42,600
If retro-fueled fun is what you’re after, then Hyundai is one of the best automakers to opt for. This is evident when you look at vehicles like the Ioniq 5, which is clearly inspired by the 80s. From its cubic headlights to the plethora of switches and knobs you find on the inside, this is the ultimate old-school EV.
Key Tech Features
- Dual 12.3-inch gauge cluster and infotainment screen
- Augmented reality heads-up display
- Vehicle-to-load charging
- Over-the-air updates
- Highway driving assist
The Ioniq 5 is brilliant for a number of different reasons. It is priced incredibly competitively, comes loaded with modern technology, but offers plenty of manual control. While there is a massive curved screen in the cabin, the haptic feedback offered by switches and dials is infinitely satisfying.
6
2025 Kia EV9
MSRP: $54,900
Kia is one of the best automakers when it comes to mixing traditional design elements with contemporary, forward-thinking ones. The EV9 features a boxier and upright stance, with strong geometry calling back to the 80s and 90s. Its minimalist interior is also a callback to a simpler time.
Key Tech Features
- Panoramic dual 12.3-inch screens
- Digital key capability
- Vehicle-to-load charging
- Over-the-air updates
- Highway driving assist
Electric vehicles are, generally, on the cutting edge of technology, and the EV9 is no exception. Including features like semi-autonomous driving, the Kia aims to make things as effortless as possible. One of its more impressive features is how it can be used as a power supply, allowing you to charge electrical appliances.
5
2025 Toyota Land Cruiser
MSRP: $56,700
The Land Cruiser being reintroduced to the U.S. market was one of the most exciting things to happen in the last couple of years. Instead of the large SUV it once was, though, it is now a mid-sizer. It is back, though, sporting an iconic design and plenty of features that help it feel like a luxury adventure vehicle.
Key Tech Features
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Multi-terrain monitor
- Crawl control
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0
- Full-time 4WD with electronically locking center differential
With plenty of digital real estate on the dashboard and a plethora of driver assists, this isn’t your grandfather’s Land Cruiser. It even comes with things like a camera which gives you underbody views so you can better maneuver while on trails. Despite this, its boxy design and manual cabin controls keep up its old-school charm.
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4
2025 Land Rover Defender
MSRP: $56,900
Land Rover has always been the perfect storm of both form and function, with exceptional and classy styling meeting rugged capability. The current generation continues this trend, keeping up with truck-based rivals off-road while maintaining an on-road manners that are near unmatched.
Key Tech Features
- Available 11.4-inch infotainment screen
- Electronic air suspension
- ClearSight under-hood camera
- Terrain Response 2 System
- Wade Sensing
In the cabin, you’ll find that Land Rover has struck a balance between upscale comfort and rugged practicality. Exposed rivets and door panels contrast against leather upholstery and a nearly bezel-less screen. It also comes with plenty of tech to help it when you’re exploring the great outdoors, including a system which helps you monitor how high water is while you ford rivers.
3
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe
MSRP: $59,000
The Tahoe is as American as football and apple pie. While it has certainly evolved over the years, it continues to build upon the same foundational ideas that made it so popular when it first hit American roads. A massive interior, tons of power, and a stoic towing capacity are some of the defining features that make the Tahoe what it is.
Key Tech Features
- 17.7-inch infotainment screen
- Advanced trailering system with up to 13 camera views
- 360-degree surround camera
- Magnetic ride control
- Super Cruise hands-free driving
While it holds on to its old-school styling, its digital dashboard showcases how modern the Tahoe has become. From systems that help you connect your trailer and drive with it, to an advanced suspension system, the Tahoe is a modern machine. It also comes with GM’s semi-autonomous Super Cruise system.
2
2025 Ineos Grenadier
MSRP: $78,900
The Grenadier is the ultimate love letter to fans of old-fashioned off-roading SUVs. It was inspired by the Land Rover Defender of the 80s, which is evident from its rugged styling. This SUV isn’t built to pamper you, though, and is instead meant to be driven where the mud is thick and the terrain is treacherous.
Key Tech Features
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Hydraulic anti-roll control
- Off-road navigation system
- Auxiliary switch panel
- Roof load sensor
Despite the Grenadier being designed to be fairly old-fashioned, it features a ton of technology to help you survive in the modern world. Its interior is just as retro as its exterior, with an aircraft-style switch board. It is also very upgrade-friendly, with features like a pre-wired panel which supports the installation of things like winches and aftermarket lights.
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1
2025 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
MSRP: $148,250
Mercedes-Benz launched their luxury off-road SUV back in 1979, and it has since become an icon in the motoring world. Despite offering a posh cabin that usually hosts celebrities, the G-Class is a genuinely capable vehicle, capable of going where few other vehicles can.
Key Tech Features
- 12.3-inch infotainment screen
- Augmented reality navigation
- Adaptive suspension
- Three electronically locking differentials
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go
Mercedes are world leaders when it comes to automotive technology, and this shows in the G-Class. Alongside having some of the most advanced comfort features, such as multicontour massaging seats and semi-autonomous driving, the G-Class also features tech that more adventurous folk could make excellent use of.
